Oral histories for educational transformation
Our researchers Francisco Apurinã and Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen participated in the Sámi and Indigenous Education Conference in Guovdageaidnu from 6 to 8 October 2026.
Our CoE was represented at the Sámi and Indigenous Education Conference 2026, hosted by Sámi allaskuvla / Sámi University of Applied Sciences in Guovdageaidnu, Norway, from 6 to 8 October 2026. The international conference brought together educators, researchers, students and community members to exchange experiences and research on Sámi and Indigenous education, decolonisation, sustainability, reconciliation and Indigenous pedagogies.
Our researchers Francisco Apurinã and Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen (University of Helsinki) presented findings from their long-term collaborative project “Cherishing Varieties in Apurinã Community-Based Oral History Initiatives”.
”Our point was really that we shared the lessons learned from vitalising songs with different varieties between diverse Apurinã and how the community themselves transformed their educational practices”, they say.
The event offered valuable opportunities to reconnect with colleagues from previous collaborations and to establish new connections across Indigenous research and education networks. Beyond the formal programme, the conference created spaces for meaningful encounters and dialogue. More information on the conference is available here.
MultiBEING extends its thanks to Sámi allaskuvla / Sámi University of Applied Sciences for organising this inspiring event and for creating a welcoming environment for dialogue across Indigenous and academic communities.
Photos
1. Francisco Apurinã and Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen with Tuija Veintie (also from Indigenous Studies at the University of Helsinki), who presented her work on a participatory Indigenous education project.
2. Lávvu space for meaninful encounters.
3. One of the keynotes, Linda Tuhiwai Smith. Her talk emphasised the importance of addressing beautiful futures.
